CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Timothy 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/4-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/54_1Ti_04_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Timothy 4:3 - Warnings against False Teachers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_timothy/4-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_timothy/4-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_timothy/">1 Timothy</a> > <a href="/1_timothy/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_timothy/4-2.htm" title="1 Timothy 4:2">◄</a> 1 Timothy 4:3 <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm" title="1 Timothy 4:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_timothy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_timothy/4.htm">New International Version</a> They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. <a href="/nlt/1_timothy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. <a href="/esv/1_timothy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/bsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/blb/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods that God created for reception with thanksgiving by the faithful and those knowing the truth. <a href="/kjv/1_timothy/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. <a href="/nkjv/1_timothy/4.htm">New King James Version</a> forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/nasb_/1_timothy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/nasb/1_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/nasb77/1_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/lsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God created to be shared in with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/amp/1_timothy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from [certain kinds of] foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and have [a clear] knowledge of the truth. <a href="/csb/1_timothy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/hcsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/asv/1_timothy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. <a href="/cev/1_timothy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> will forbid people to marry or to eat certain foods. But God created these foods to be eaten with thankful hearts by his followers who know the truth. <a href="/erv/1_timothy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth. <a href="/gwt/1_timothy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods. God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/gnt/1_timothy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Such people teach that it is wrong to marry and to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten, after a prayer of thanks, by those who are believers and have come to know the truth. <a href="/isv/1_timothy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> They will try to stop people from marrying and from eating certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/msb/1_timothy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/net/1_timothy/4.htm">NET Bible</a> They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/nheb/1_timothy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/wbt/1_timothy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth. <a href="/wey/1_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods which God has created to be partaken of, with thankfulness, by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth. <a href="/web/1_timothy/4.htm">World English Bible</a> forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_timothy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> forbidding to marry—to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth, <a href="/blb/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods that God created for reception with thanksgiving by the faithful and those knowing the truth. <a href="/ylt/1_timothy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> forbidding to marry -- to abstain from meats that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those believing and acknowledging the truth, <a href="/slt/1_timothy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Hindering to marry, to keep from victuals which God created for participation, with thanks, for the faithful and them knowing the truth.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_timothy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Forbidding to marry, to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and by them that have known the truth. <a href="/cpdv/1_timothy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> prohibiting marriage, abstaining from foods, which God has created to be accepted with thanksgiving by the faithful and by those who have understood the truth. <a href="/nabre/1_timothy/4.htm">New American Bible</a> They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/nrsvce/1_timothy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_timothy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Who prohibit marriage, and demand abstinence from foods which God has created for use and thanksgiving of those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_timothy/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they forbid to be married and they abstain from foods which God has created for use and thanksgiving for those who believe and know the truth.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_timothy/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> who forbid to marry, and command to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe, and know the truth. <a href="/godbey/1_timothy/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from meats, which God created for reception with thanksgiving to the faithful and to those perfectly knowing the truth. <a href="/haweis/1_timothy/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> prohibiting marriage, and enjoining abstinence from particular meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and those who acknowledge the truth. <a href="/mace/1_timothy/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness. <a href="/wey/1_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> forbidding people to marry, and insisting on abstinence from foods which God has created to be partaken of, with thankfulness, by those who believe and have a clear knowledge of the truth. <a href="/worrell/1_timothy/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God created for reception with thanksgiving by those who believe and have full knowledge of the truth. <a href="/worsley/1_timothy/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and enjoining abstinence from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by those that believe and know the truth. <a href="/parallel/1_timothy/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EkcLX59OJyU?start=492" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Warnings against False Teachers</a> …2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3<a href="/greek/2967.htm" title="2967: kōlyontōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.">They will prohibit</a> <a href="/greek/1060.htm" title="1060: gamein (V-PNA) -- To marry, used of either sex. From gamos; to wed.">marriage</a> <a href="/greek/568.htm" title="568: apechesthai (V-PNM) -- To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant.">and require abstinence</a> <a href="/greek/1033.htm" title="1033: brōmatōn (N-GNP) -- Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.">from certain foods</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ha (RelPro-ANP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/2936.htm" title="2936: ektisen (V-AIA-3S) -- To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found.">has created</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3336.htm" title="3336: metalēmpsin (N-AFS) -- Participation, sharing in, receiving. From metalambano; participation.">be received</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: meta (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/2169.htm" title="2169: eucharistias (N-GFS) -- Thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving. From eucharistos; gratitude; actively, grateful language.">thanksgiving</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">by those who</a> <a href="/greek/4103.htm" title="4103: pistois (Adj-DMP) -- Trustworthy, faithful, believing. From peitho; objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful.">believe</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1921.htm" title="1921: epegnōkosi (V-RPA-DMP) -- From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge.">know</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheian (N-AFS) -- From alethes; truth.">truth.</a> 4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/9-3.htm">Genesis 9:3</a> Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things. <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-23</a> Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. / Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. ... <a href="/romans/14-3.htm">Romans 14:3-6</a> The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him. / Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. / One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/7-28.htm">1 Corinthians 7:28</a> But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a> “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) <a href="/acts/10-13.htm">Acts 10:13-15</a> Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” <a href="/1_corinthians/10-25.htm">1 Corinthians 10:25-27</a> Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” / If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience. <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a> A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14-15</a> and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth. / To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12-13</a> “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. / “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. <a href="/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. <a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29-31</a> Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. / And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. <a href="/leviticus/11-2.htm">Leviticus 11:2-47</a> “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: / You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. / But of those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/14-3.htm">Deuteronomy 14:3-21</a> You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.Forbidding.<a href="/daniel/11-37.htm">Daniel 11:37</a> Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.<a href="/1_corinthians/7-28.htm">1 Corinthians 7:28,36-39</a> But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you… <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.to abstain.<a href="/romans/14-3.htm">Romans 14:3,17</a> Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him… <a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a> But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.<a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20-23</a> Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, … which.<a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29,30</a> And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat… <a href="/genesis/9-3.htm">Genesis 9:3</a> Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:18</a> Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.with.<a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">1 Timothy 4:4</a> For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:<a href="/1_samuel/9-13.htm">1 Samuel 9:13</a> As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.<a href="/matthew/14-19.htm">Matthew 14:19</a> And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.believe.<a href="/1_timothy/2-4.htm">1 Timothy 2:4</a> Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.<a href="/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31,32</a> Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; … <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-13.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:13,14</a> But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-22.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/acts/27-21.htm">Abstinence</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Advocate</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-16.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-15.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-8.htm">Commanding</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-13.htm">Created</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-3.htm">Enjoin</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">Foods</a> <a href="/galatians/6-14.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-16.htm">Forbidding</a> <a href="/acts/15-38.htm">Insisting</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-38.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/colossians/3-19.htm">Married</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">Meats</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-1.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">Received</a> <a href="/philippians/4-15.htm">Shared</a> <a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Thankfulness</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-1.htm">Thanksgiving</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-12.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-15.htm">Truth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_timothy/2-19.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/acts/27-21.htm">Abstinence</a> <a href="/1_john/2-1.htm">Advocate</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-10.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-14.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-4.htm">Commanding</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">Created</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-11.htm">Enjoin</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-6.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Foods</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-16.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/matthew/3-14.htm">Forbidding</a> <a href="/luke/23-5.htm">Insisting</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Married</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Meats</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">Received</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Shared</a> <a href="/philemon/1-7.htm">Thankfulness</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">Thanksgiving</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-9.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-5.htm">Truth</a><div class="vheading2">1 Timothy 4</div>1. <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith.</a> 6. <a href="/1_timothy/4-6.htm">And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with various precepts.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>They will prohibit marriage In this phrase, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who will arise, advocating for the prohibition of marriage. The Greek word for "prohibit" is "kōlyō," which means to hinder or prevent. Historically, this reflects early Gnostic influences that viewed the material world, including marriage, as inherently evil. From a conservative Christian perspective, marriage is a divine institution established by God in <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>, meant for companionship, procreation, and reflecting Christ's relationship with the Church (<a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-32</a>). The prohibition of marriage contradicts God's design and purpose for human relationships.require abstinence from certain foods The phrase "require abstinence" comes from the Greek "apechomai," meaning to hold back or refrain. This reflects ascetic practices that were becoming prevalent, where certain foods were deemed unclean or spiritually detrimental. In the Old Testament, dietary laws were given to Israel (Leviticus 11), but in the New Covenant, Jesus declared all foods clean (<a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Mark 7:19</a>). Paul emphasizes that such restrictions are not aligned with the freedom found in Christ (<a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a>). The conservative view upholds that dietary practices should not be a measure of one's faith or spirituality.that God has created This phrase underscores the divine origin of all creation. The Greek word "ktizō" means to create or form, highlighting God's sovereignty and intentionality in creation. <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a> repeatedly affirms that God saw His creation as "good." Thus, the foods and institutions God created are inherently good and meant for human enjoyment and sustenance. This counters any teaching that devalues God's creation.to be received with thanksgiving The Greek word for "thanksgiving" is "eucharistia," which implies gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision. This phrase encourages believers to receive God's gifts with a heart of gratitude, recognizing His goodness and provision. In <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-18.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:18</a>, Paul exhorts believers to give thanks in all circumstances, reflecting a life of worship and dependence on God. Thanksgiving transforms ordinary acts, like eating, into acts of worship.by those who believe and know the truth Here, "believe" (Greek "pisteuō") and "know" (Greek "epiginōskō") indicate a deep, personal faith and understanding of God's truth. This truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which liberates believers from legalistic practices and false teachings. <a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32</a> states, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." From a conservative perspective, knowing the truth involves a commitment to sound doctrine and a personal relationship with Christ, which empowers believers to discern and reject false teachings.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_timothy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Forbidding to marry.--This strange and unnatural "counsel of perfection," St. Paul, thinking and writing in the Spirit, looked forward to as a perilous delusion which would, as time went on, grow into the impious dogma of certain of the great Gnostic schools. This teaching was probably, even in those early days, creeping into the churches. The Jewish sects of Essenes and Therapeutae had already taught that "abstinence from marriage" was meritorious. Men belonging to these sects doubtless were to be found in every populous centre where Jews congregated, and it was always in these centres of Judaism that Christianity at first found a home. St. Paul, however, saw no reason to dwell on this point at any length; the gross absurdity of such a "counsel "as a rule of life was too apparent; it was a plain contradiction of the order of Divine Providence. But the next question which presented itself in the teaching of these false ascetics, as we shall see, required more careful handling.And commanding to abstain from meats.--Once more we must look to those famous Jewish religious communities of Egypt (the Essenes and Therapeutae), the precursors of the great monastic systems of Christianity, as the home whence these perverted ascetic tendencies issued. These precepts too, like the counsel respecting marriage, were adopted in after years by several of the principal Gnostic sects; and it was especially those times St. Paul looked on to, although, no doubt, the seeds of their false asceticism had already been sown broadcast in the principal Christian congregations.It has been asked why, in these solemn warnings against a false asceticism which St. Paul foresaw might and would be substituted for a really earnest Godfearing life, the question of celibacy was dismissed with one short sentence, while the apparently less-important question of abstaining from particular kinds of food was discussed with some detail. The reason is easily discoverable. The counsel to abstain from marriage was a strange and unnatural suggestion, one contrary to the plain scheme of creation. Any teaching which taught that the celibate's life was a life peculiarly pleasing to God would, at the same time, throw a slur upon all home and family life, and the Apostle felt that men's ordinary common sense would soon relegate any such strange teaching to obscurity; but with the question of abstaining from meats--that was connected with the precepts of the Mosaic law, which dealt at some length (probably from reasons connected with the public health) with these restrictions in the matter of meats.These false teachers, while they urged such abstinence as a likely way to win God's favour, would probably base, or at all events support, their arguments by reference to certain portions of the Mosaic law, rightly understood or wrongly understood.These points, then, might have risen into the dignity of a controverted question between the (Pauline) Gentile and the Jewish congregations. So St. Paul at once removed it to a higher platform. All food was from the hand of one Maker--nothing, then, could really be considered common or unclean without throwing a slur upon the All-Creator.Which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving.--God's primeval intention is thus sharply contrasted with men's arbitrary restrictions. This divine intention is repeated with still greater emphasis in <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm" title="For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:">1Timothy 4:4</a>.Of them which believe and know the truth.--The true "Gnostics," in St. Paul's eyes, were not those self-sufficient men who were out of their own corrupt imagination devising these strange and unnatural methods of pleasing God, but those holy, humble men of heart who believed on His crucified Son, and knew the truth of the glorious gospel.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_timothy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Created for hath created, A.V.; by for of, A.V.; that for which, A.V. Forbidding to marry. This is mentioned as showing itself first among the Essenes and Therapeutic by Josephus ('Bell. Jud.,' it. 8:2, and 'Ant. Jud.,' 18, 1:5). It became later a special tenet of the Gnostics, as stated by Clem. Alex., 'Strom.,' 3:6; Irenaeus, "Haer.," 1:22, etc. (quoted by Ellicott). See other quotations in Pole's Synopsis. Commanding to abstain from meats; βρωμάτων (<a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8</a>; <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a>; comp. βρώσει, <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16</a>; <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a>). The word "commanding" has to be supplied from the preceding κωλυόντων, "commanding not." Some of the sects prohibited the use of animal food. A trace of this asceticism in regard to food is found in <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16, 21, 23</a>. (For a full list of authorities on the asceticism of the Jewish sects, see Bishop Lightfoot, 'Introduction to the Epistle to the Coloss.,' pp. 83, 84.) The chief passages relating to it are those referred to above from Josephus: Γάμου ὑπεροψία παρ αὐτοῖς, "They despise marriage;" Ἐσσαίων οὐδεὶς ἄγεται γυναῖκα, "None of the Essenes marry" (Philo, 'Fragm.,' p. 633); "Gens sine ulla femina, venere abdicata" - "A people without a single woman, for they renounce marriage" (Plin., 'Nat. Hist.,' 5:15). As regards their food, Bishop Lightfoot says, "The Essene drank no wine; he did not touch animal food. His meal consisted of a piece of bread, and a single mess of vegetables" ('Introd.,' p. 86). Professor Burton (in Kitto's 'Cyclopaedia,' art. "Gnosticism') says of the later Gnostics that, from their principle of the utter malignity of matter, and the elevating nature of γνῶσις, two very opposite results ensued - one that many Gnostics led very profligate lives; the other that many practiced great austerities in order to mortify the body and its sensual appetites (p. 770). Some of our modern Eneratites, in their language concerning the use of wine and beer, approach Gnosticism very closely. To be received (εἰς μετάληψιν); a classical word, but only found here in the New Testament, not used by the LXX. With thanksgiving. Observe the identity of thought with <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Romans 14:6</a>. These passages, together with our Lord's action at the last Supper (<a href="/luke/22-17.htm">Luke 22:17, 19</a>), at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (<a href="/luke/9-16.htm">Luke 9:16</a>), and St. Paul's on board ship (<a href="/acts/27-35.htm">Acts 27:35</a>), are conclusive as to the Christian duty of giving thanks, commonly called "saying grace" at meals. The truth (see <a href="/1_timothy/3-15.htm">1 Timothy 3:15</a>; <a href="/john/18-37.htm">John 18:37</a>; <a href="/ephesians/4-21.htm">Ephesians 4:21</a>, etc.). <a href="/commentaries/1_timothy/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They will prohibit κωλυόντων (kōlyontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2967.htm">Strong's 2967: </a> To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent. marriage γαμεῖν (gamein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> To marry, used of either sex. From gamos; to wed. [and require] abstinence ἀπέχεσθαι (apechesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_568.htm">Strong's 568: </a> To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant. from certain foods βρωμάτων (brōmatōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1033.htm">Strong's 1033: </a> Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law. that ἃ (ha) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. has created ἔκτισεν (ektisen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2936.htm">Strong's 2936: </a> To create, form, shape, make, always of God. Probably akin to ktaomai; to fabricate, i.e. Found. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. be received μετάλημψιν (metalēmpsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3336.htm">Strong's 3336: </a> Participation, sharing in, receiving. From metalambano; participation. with μετὰ (meta) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. thanksgiving εὐχαριστίας (eucharistias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2169.htm">Strong's 2169: </a> Thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving. From eucharistos; gratitude; actively, grateful language. by those who τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. believe πιστοῖς (pistois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4103.htm">Strong's 4103: </a> Trustworthy, faithful, believing. From peitho; objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. know ἐπεγνωκόσι (epegnōkosi) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1921.htm">Strong's 1921: </a> From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. truth. ἀλήθειαν (alētheian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> From alethes; truth. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">NT Letters: 1 Timothy 4:3 Forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_timothy/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Timothy 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Timothy 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Timothy 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Timothy 4:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>